ISA round up - 18th September
17/09/2023
Easy access rates made big strides on the week with six providers moving above last week's leaders, Shawbrook, and a huge 0.12% added to the best buy rate. 1 Year Fixed nudged up to 5.85% and 3 Year to 5.61% but otherwise fixed rates were fairly static with little movement. We think fixed rate ISAs have likely peaked here but easy access ISA rates may have a little more left to go. All eyes are on Thursday's Bank of England Base Rate decision which is likely to be tight. We expect Base to go to 5.50% but fixed rate ISAs are largely pricing this in already. Easy access rates could nudge higher if Base does go up but usually there's a lag in ISA rates being increased, after a Base Rate rise, so don't expect a quick reaction! Here's our round up of the best buys and key changes in the Individual Savings Account markets:
Easy access rates soared on the week with four providers paying 4.70% to lead the way. Skipton's 4.70% tracks Base Rate minus 0.55% for 24 months so, if Base Rate goes to 5.50% this Thursday, could prove the pick of the bunch. Cynergy also pay 4.70% along with OakNorth and Paragon - but Paragon's rate is restricted to two withdrawals or the rate is savaged to just 1.50%. Marcus and Saga both moved up 25bps to 4.60%, although both include a 0.35% bonus for 12 months. Shawbrook, last week's leader, drops to seventh with their rate of 4.58%. Leeds Building Society, who pay 4.55% are next.
Loughborough Building Society lead the way paying 5% for 180 Days Notice and 4.75% for 120 Day Notice alongisde Teacher's Building Society who offer identical rates on the same notice periods. Chorley Building Society are third paying 4.30% for 120 Day Notice - but their easy access pays the 4.50% so this is a better option. Aldermore's 30 Day Notice pays 4.25%. With easy access ISA rates so high, only Loughborough and Teacher's notice ISAs merit consideration.
Virgin Money top the charts paying 5.85% - but savers must have or open a Virgin Money current account to get this rate - with Shawbrook close behind at 5.83%. Third spot sees a three way tie with Close Brothers, OakNorth and Kent Reliance all paying 5.78% rate. UBL Bank's 5.77% is matched by Charter Savings with Secure Trust at 5.75% ahead of Aldermore Bank who pay 5.71%.
Close Brothers lead the way at 5.81%, ahead of Kent Reliance at 5.79% and Secure Trust at 5.75%. Zopa's increase to 5.66% moves them up to fourth with United Trust Bank and West Brom Building Society locked on 5.65%. Virgin Money offer 5.62% ahead of Aldermore Bank, who pay 5.61%, with UBL Bank paying 5.60% alongside Hodge, to complete the top 10.
Zopa Bank pay a top rate of 5.61%, following their rate increase, which sees off Secure Trust at 5.60%. Close Brothers are third at 5.55% and Aldermore Bank pay 5.51% alongside Shawbrook in joint fourth. Hodge, Principality Building Society and United Trust Bank all pay 5.50% before a big drop to Castle Trust at 5.35%.
Zopa Bank pay a best buy 5.26% ahead of Close Brothers and Secure Trust Bank at 5.25% with Shawbrook at 5.22%. United Trust Bank pay 5.20% ahead of Hodge at 5.15% and UBL Bank at 5.01%.
Moneybox are the best buy paying 4% but their rate does include a 0.75% bonus for 12 months. Nude Finance pay 3.80% but their rate comes with a £2 monthly fee. Bath Building Society are at 3.79% ahead of Beehive Money at 3.30%. Skipton Building Society pay 3.25% and Newcastle Building Society are at 3% with Paragon still only paying 2.50%.